A Guide to Puglia
The region of Puglia is divided into the provinces of Bari, Foggia, Lecce, Taranto and Brindisi, as well as the Tremiti islands.
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OUR CHOICE
Southern Visions Travel active and cultural vacations in Puglia includes guided & self guided bike tours, wine programs, walking and cruise excursions
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Get to know the region better from Gargano in the very north to Tricase in the very south.
PROVINCE OF BARI
Bari Guide
Head to the heart of the historical centre for tales of Moors, horses, lovers and witches.
Summer festivals near Bari
There are many interesting festivals in the city and province, fish and orecchiette above all.
Alberobello
Alberobello literally means 'beautiful tree' and is home of the distinctive whitewashed, conical shaped houses.
Locorotondo
Stunning views of the Valley d'Itria can be enjoyed from the balcony of this gleamingly whitewashed town.
San Vito and the fear of Rabies
Here, every year on the 15 June, they celebrate the 'Festa di San Vito'.
Polignano a Mare
If you enjoy crusades, lookout towers, coves, high diving and higher art , you'll love Polignano.
Ghosts of Casamassima
Located in the province of Bari, Casamassima hides centuries of conflict and empire building.
Carnival of Putignano
The first carnival took place in 1394 and the main character is the 'farinella' or jester.
Festival of the Valle d'Itria
Free classical concerts in an atmospheric setting. Booking online from our link.
Festival of Jewish Culture in Puglia
Trani is the focal point of this new event to rediscover the Jewish diaspora in south Italy.
Castles of Puglia
You may know about Castel del Monte, but what about Bari, Trani, Otranto & Copertino?
PROVINCE OF BRINDISI
Province of Brindisi
An insight and recommendation as to how best visit the province.
In and around Fasano
A guide to the best things to see and do from Savalletri and Egnathia to Torre Canne and Selva.
Masserie of Puglia
The Masserie were first constructed to protect the inhabitants from attacks by pirates and brigands over 200 years ago.
History of Fasano
A long, long history and fairly tranquil apart from 2nd June 1698.
Ceglie Messapica
Messapica is a reference to the stone walls dating from the Messapic era which are still visible.
King Louis and his White Horse
The King was washed up on a beach along with precious artefacts from the Holy Land.
PROVINCE OF TARANTO
Ancient Taranto
Taranto was founded by the Spartans and is known for its 'two seas' and countless invasions.
First Olympic Games champion
Many believe this was Iklos from Taranto, a Pythagorean philosopher and founder of sports medicine.
Mottola
Look out for the Rupestrian churches in local villages many full of priceless early Christian frescoes
Martina Franca
The city of wine was once a tax free zone and is the heart of the Valle d'Itria.
Province of Taranto
A varied territory extending to the famous valley of the trulli
PROVINCE OF FOGGIA
Lucera
Go there for the Ampitheater of Romano Augusto and the Fortress Svevo Angioina.
Foggia
The provincial capital of north Puglia is a base for the Gargano and towns such as Lucera and Bovino.
Tremiti Islands
There are three of them: San Domino, San Nicola and uninhabited Caprara.
Roseto Valfortore
Throwing bread festivals and old ways of life, both perfectly preserved.
Subappennino Dauno
This is the site of the battles of Pirro and Canne near Castelluccio Valmaggiore not far from Lucera.
PROVINCE OF LECCE
Top Ten sights to see in Lecce
From the Roman theater and triumphal arch to the baroque churches and palazzi.
Salento
The heel of Italy includes the provinces of Lecce, Brindisi and Taranto and has history by the bucket.
Lecce
Barocco Leccese' is the capital of the area known as Salento. Start at the Norman cathedral.
Holy Sanctuaries of Santa Maria di Leuca
The oldest and most venerated sanctuaries in Puglia can be found in Salento, right at the heel of Italy.
Ritual Sword Dance
Every Ferragosto in Ruffano a bloody fight is mimicked to the sound of tambourines.
Invaders of Salento
There have been a lot of them. Greeks, Messapians, Spanish, Normans, Swabians etc.
Cleanest beach in Italy
Indeed it's true. Up there with Cinque Terre, Castiglion della Pescaia and Lampedusa.
Otranto
Otranto is a 2 hour flight from all the main European cities. The nearest airport is Brindisi.
Castles of Salento
A closer look at Copertino and Otranto castles.
Gallipoli
Gallipoli has a stunning history, as you would expect from a city built for ancient Mediterranean commerce. |
